Footbag game apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for playing a game of footbag is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a playing surface, a net, a first side wall, and a second sidewall. The net, together with the first and second sidewalls, divides the playing surface into first and second playing zones. A court boundary provides the rear-most ends of the first and second playing zones. The net is supported in substantially vertical position by a first support post and a second support post. The first and second support posts, together with the first and second sidewalls, are held in place by a series of support brackets and counterweights that are spaced along opposing first and second sides of the court.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footbag or hackbag games and, more particularly, to footbag or hackbag games adapted to be played on a court having a net and opposing pair of side walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various games based on footbags have evolved over the years since 1972, the year in which the first footbag (a/k/a hackysack or hackbag) is believed to have been introduced in Oregon City, Oreg., by John Stalberger and Mike Marshall. Two of the more common games are referred to as circle kick and footbag net. According to www.wikipedia.org, for example, circle kick is the most common game played with a footbag. Players stand in a circle and keep the footbag moving around the circle, without the footbag touching the ground or a player's hands. Variations in circle kick arise through different means and manner in scoring or the number of permissible kicks during the time that each player possesses the footbag. In footbag net, players (either alone or with a partner) move a footbag back and forth across a five-foot-high net. Also according to www.wikipedia.org, footbag net combines elements of tennis, badminton and volleyball. Specifically, the court dimensions and layout are similar to those of badminton; the scoring is similar to that used in volleyball, where a player must be serving to score; and serves must be cross-court diagonal, as in tennis. Similar to circle kick, variations in footbag net arise through different means and manner in scoring or the number of permissible kicks during the time that each player (or team) possesses the footbag.

One embodiment of footbag net is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,980 (Trotman). Specifically, Trotman discloses a set of rules and an apparatus. The apparatus includes a court boundary marker and a net dividing the court into two team zones. The net includes pairs of support poles and inflatable conical-shaped bases for receiving the support poles and maintaining them in a vertical orientation for tensioning and supporting the net. Similar embodiments are disclosed in various footbag informational websites, such as, for example, www.efootbag.com and www.footbag.org. While the game of footbag net appears well recognized among the footbag playing community, enhancements or improvements to both the game and apparatuses for playing the game appear non-existent or limited. The disclosure herein, however, provides an enhancement and improvement to the game of footbag net, and results in a game and apparatus that requires a higher level of skill and stamina to play than the more traditional games of footbag net and circle kick, or games of similar import.

More specifically, the disclosure herein provides an apparatus that enables division of a substantially flat playing surface into at least two playing zones separated by a net and having side walls positioned substantially perpendicular to both the net and playing surface. The opposing side walls provide reaction surfaces that players may use to outwit players on the opposing team. More specifically, the footbag may be directed at and angled off one of the first and second side walls into the court of the opposing team. This mode of play is in contrast to the more conventional style of play that requires the footbag be maintained inside an imaginary boundary running perpendicular to both the net and playing surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for playing a game of footbag is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a playing surface that is essentially rectangular is shape. A net divides the playing surface into a pair of open ended playing zones. Opposing first and second side walls are positioned adjacent first and second ends of the net, and provide a pair of reaction surfaces that players may use in getting the footbag from one playing zone to the other. The net, together with the first and second sidewalls, divides the playing surface into first and second square or rectangular playing zones. A court boundary provides the rear-most ends of the first and second playing zones. The net is supported in substantially vertical position by a first support post and a second support post. The first and second support posts, together with the first and second sidewalls, are held in place by a series of support brackets and counterweights that are spaced along opposing first and second sides of the court.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the court apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead view of one embodiment of the court apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the net and supporting structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of a side-wall panel of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a frontal view of a first tie plate of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a frontal view of a second tie plate of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a further views of one embodiment of the net and supporting structure of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an eye-bolt fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a net support post of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates side and overhead views of one embodiment of a first support bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates side and overhead views of one embodiment of a second support bracket of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates side and overhead views of one embodiment of a counterweight of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention relates to an enhanced and improved apparatus and method for playing footbag and related games. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, for example, one embodiment of the invention includes a footbag net and court apparatus 10. The footbag net and court apparatus 10 includes a playing surface 12, a net 14, a first side wall 16, and a second sidewall 18. The net 14, together with the first and second sidewalls 16, 18 divides the playing surface 12 into first and second playing zones 17, 19. A court boundary 15 provides the rear-most ends of the first and second playing zones 17, 19. The net 14 is supported in substantially vertical position by a first support post 20 and a second support post 22. The first and second support posts 20, 22, together with the first and second sidewalls 16, 18, are held in place by a series of support brackets 13 and counterweights 50 that are spaced along opposing first and second sides 21, 23 of the court. Further details of various embodiments of the above identified components of the present invention, together with various methods of assembly and play, are now provided herein.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the first and second sidewalls 16, 18 are positioned substantially vertically at the opposing first and second sides 21, 23 of the court. In one embodiment, both the first and second sidewalls 16, 18 include four side-wall panels 25. Although the side-wall panels 25 are contemplated as being sized variously to suit particular modes of play—e.g., a suitable panel size for children might be relatively smaller than for adults—in a preferred embodiment, the side-panels 25 are approximately four feet wide by eight feet high in planar dimension and about one-half inch thick. The side-wall panels 25 are preferably constructed using Plexiglas, which is transparent for sight, but other materials—e.g., plywood—are equally suitable.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5A and B, a means of fastening the side-wall panels 25 to one another is illustrated. Specifically, in one embodiment, the side-wall panels 25 are fastened together using a series of tie plates 41, 42. In a preferred embodiment, the tie plates 41, 42 are sized in length to cover the length of the intersection (or lengthwise joint) between adjoining side-wall panels 25. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, two side-wall panels 15, 17 are illustrated as being fastened together at a lengthwise joint 31 using a tie plate 11. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5B, one means of fastening the side-wall panels 15, 17 is provided. Specifically, and by way of example, the tie plate 11 includes a strip of metal or Plexiglas having a series of holes 43 drilled through its thickness from one face to another along two lengthwise sides. In corresponding fashion, holes 48 are drilled and positioned at opposing sides of the side-wall panels 15, 17 from one face to another along adjoining lengthwise sides. In one embodiment, the holes 48 drilled through the side-wall panels 15, 17 are countersunk to receive flathead screws or bolts therein and thereby maintain a smooth playing surface along the lengthwise joint 31. The lengthwise joint 31 is assembled first by positioning the two side-wall panels 15, 17 adjacent one another. The tie plate 11 is then positioned adjacent the intersection of the adjacent side-wall panels 15, 17 on the side of the side wall 16 opposite the playing zone 17. When properly positioned, the holes 43 in the tie plate 11 will align with the holes 48 in the two side-wall panels 15, 17. Flathead screws or bolts are then inserted through the holes 43, 48 and securely tightened using a threaded nut.

The foregoing description applies equally to similar lengthwise joints—e.g., lengthwise joints 67, 68, 69 fastening, respectively, pairs of side-wall panels 61, 62 and 63, 64 and 65, 66. A modified tie plate 41 may, however, be used at the lengthwise joints appearing above the net 14—e.g., lengthwise joints 70, 71 fastening, respectively, side-wall panels 17, 61 and 64, 65. The modified—i.e., shortened-version of the tie-plate 41 accounts for the shortened length of the lengthwise joints 70, 71 due to the presence of the net 14 beneath the respective tie-plates 41. Similar to the lengthwise joints discussed above—e.g., lengthwise joint 31—the modified (or shortened) tie plate 41 includes a strip of metal or Plexiglas having a series of holes 45 drilled through its thickness from one face to another along two lengthwise sides. The lengthwise joint—e.g., lengthwise joint 70—is assembled first by positioning the two side-wall panels 17, 61 adjacent one another. The tie plate 41 is then positioned adjacent the intersection of the adjacent side-wall panels 17, 61 on the side of the side wall 16 opposite the playing zones 17, 19. When properly positioned, the holes 45 in the tie plate 41 will align with the holes 48 in the two side-wall panels 17, 61. Flathead screws or bolts are then inserted through the holes 45, 48 and securely tightened using a threaded nut. Alternatives to the tie plates 41, 42 above described include, for example, a plurality of relatively short tie panels (say, each being one foot long) that are spaced—either together or apart from one another—along the intersections of the various side-wall panels and secured using screws as above described.

As stated above, a net 14 divides the playing surface 12 into first and second playing zones 17, 19. The net may be constructed using various embodiments that are known to those having skill in the art of the game footbag net. Examples include the apparatuses described or disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,980 (Trotman) and the websites www.efootbag.com and www.footbag.org, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. A preferred embodiment of a net apparatus for the present invention is, however, described and disclosed below. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, the net 14 is illustrated being held in position by the first and second support posts 20, 22. In a preferred embodiment, however, the net 14 is comprised of one-quarter inch mesh material—e.g., nylon—having plastic dowels 80 sewn into the net 14 at each of the ends 81, 82. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, a series of eye-bolts 54 are spaced along the length 55 of each support post 20, 22. A net string 56 of braided nylon is threaded or secured to each eye-bolt 54 at one end and attached to the dowel 80 at the other end. The net 14 is tensioned appropriately by the spacing of the support posts 20, 22 apart from one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side walls 16, 18 and the first and second support posts 20, 22 are held in upright position by a series of support brackets 13 and counterweights 50 that are spaced along opposing first and second sides 21, 23 of the court. More specifically, a series of first support brackets 26 support adjoining side-wall panels 25 at each intersection not adjacent the net 14—i.e., lengthwise joints 31, 67, 68, 69—and at the rearmost court boundaries 15. In similar fashion, a pair of second support brackets 30 support adjoining side-wall panels 25 at the intersections adjacent the net 14—i.e., lengthwise joints 70, 71—and also support the two support posts 20, 22 positioned adjacent the net 14. One embodiment of the first 26 and second 30 support brackets is illustrated, respectively, in FIGS. 9 and 10. Specifically, the first support brackets 26 include a base plate 27 and a pair of upwardly extending side plates 28. The base plate 27 of each outer support bracket 26 is about twelve inches square and configured to lay on the playing surface 12 (or on the ground in the event a playing surface 12 is not used). The pair of upwardly extending side plates 28 are spaced apart a distance sufficient for the side-wall panel 25 to snuggly slide into removable engagement between the side plates 28. Where the side-wall panels 25 are one-half inch thick, the spacing between side plates 28 is preferably about nine-sixteenths inch. In one embodiment, the outer support brackets 26 are constructed using steel, but other materials—e.g., aluminum, Plexiglas or plywood—are equally suitable. If desired, one or more holes may be drilled through the side plates 28 and sidewall panels 25 to receive a bolt (not illustrated) that may itself be secured with a nut to more-tightly secure the side-wall panels 25 to corresponding outer support bracket 26.

The second support brackets 30 share many of the features of the first support brackets 26 just described. For example, the second support bracket 30 includes a base plate 32 and a pair of upwardly extending side plates 34. The base plate 32 for the second support bracket 30 is preferably about twelve by twenty-four inches in shape, or about twice the length of the just described first support brackets 26. In similar fashion, the side plates 34 are also about twenty-four inches long, extend upwardly about six inches and are spaced to snuggly receive the side wall panels 25. In addition, the second support brackets 30 include a rod member 35 that is sized and configured to receive and maintain in upright position a corresponding one of the first and second support posts 20, 22. In one embodiment, the rod member 35 is about six inches in length and has a diameter about three-quarter inch, which corresponds to an inside diameter of the first and second support posts 20, 22 also being about three-quarter inch. Both the first and second support brackets 26, 30 are weighed down by a series of counterweights 50 (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 11). Each counterweight 50 is, preferably, a plastic bucket of three to five gallon capacity being filled with sand, stones or water.

As one having skill in the art will appreciate, several embodiments of the foregoing components exhibiting varying dimensions and materials of construction are possible. In one embodiment, however, the following dimensions and materials of construction are preferred and considered to work well with each other. The playing surface 12 is about twenty-four feet square and constructed of plastic sheet or polyurethane material. The playing surface may, however, consist of nothing more than grass or sand or some other suitable playing surface—indoor or outdoor—that is suitable for vigorous exercise, including jumping and fast side-to-side movements. The net 14 is about four feet in height 91 and about thirteen feet in length 92 and constructed using quarter inch mesh nylon material. The side-wall panels 25 are about four feet in width 93 and about eight feet in height 94 and are constructed using one-half inch Plexiglas. The tie plates 41, 42 are about four inches in width 95, and, respectively, about forty-two inches and about ninety inches in length 96, 97, and are constructed from one-half inch Plexiglas. The first and second support brackets 26, 30 are dimensioned as described above and constructed from a mild steel or aluminum material having a thickness of about three-eight inch. The first and second support posts 20, 22 are about fifty-five inches and constructed from galvanized one inch tube. The base of the support posts 20, 22 are hollow (as well as the entire support posts may be) having inside diameter about three-quarter inch to coincide with the same outside diameter for the support rod 35. The counter weights 50 are plastic five-gallon pails filled with sand, rocks or water.

The steps of assembling the footbag net and court apparatus 10 are equally as varied as the dimensions and materials of construction that may be used for the various components that comprise the apparatus 10. Nevertheless, preferred steps are to lay out the playing surface 12, either on the ground or on some other suitable surface, or to simply mark a suitable playing region if no playing surface 12 is required or otherwise used. The net 14 and related assembly components—e.g., the pair of second support brackets 30 and counterweights 50—are then set up, with the net being properly tensioned. Pairs of side-panels 25 are then joined at the intersections—e.g., lengthwise joints 11, 67, 68, 69—using the tie plates 42 and related hardware (nuts and bolts). The series of first support brackets 26 and counterweights 50 are then positioned along the opposing first and second sides 21, 23 of the court. The fastened pairs of side-wall panel assemblies are then removably secured with the series of upwardly extending side plates 28, 34 that are included with the first and second support brackets 26, 30. Finally, the assembled pairs of side-wall panels are fastened at the remaining two intersections adjacent the net—i.e., lengthwise joints 70, 71. The assembled apparatus 10 exhibits a pair of opposing side walls 16, 18 that enable additional playing surfaces for additional complexity in playing footbag-based games. If desired, the first and second opposing side walls 16, 18 may be secured further using a series of guy wires (or rope) 99 extending from one or more points of the side walls 16, 18 to the ground or other suitable points of attachment.

Basic Rules of the Game

While rules of the game are varied, a preferred set of rules for use with the present invention follows:

Games—Games are played to eleven points, and a team must win two of three games to win a set and match.

Scoring—Points are scored by the serving team only when the footbag lands inbounds on the opposing team's court.

Play—The footbag can be played with any part of the body excluding hands and arms (as with soccer), and a footbag hitting an opponent's hands or an extended arm will result in a side out. The footbag cannot be trapped against a wall; rather, to maintain play, the footbag must make a clean bounce off the wall. The footbag may be hit an unlimited amount of times by any team player before being returned over the net to the opponent side. A player may also play the footbag off the net to gain control or pass the footbag to another team member, and a player may use their head to spike the footbag over the net. However, at no time may a player touch the net with any part of the body.

Serving—A server must remain behind the back baseline when serving the footbag over the net. A teammate of the server tosses with his or her hand the footbag to the server who must then serve the footbag over the net using his or her foot. The server may use a side wall in serving the footbag.

Footbag—The footbag(s) comes in a multitude of diameters, weights and fill materials and skin covers. Any such footbag may be used if agreed upon by both teams. A recommended footbag in production today is Manuel's Sandbag manufactured in Guatemala, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 386-230.

While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached invention disclosure for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may be made without departing form the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for playing team footbag on a playing surface defining a court boundary, comprising: a net extending across the playing surface and dividing the court boundary into two playing zones; a first side wall positioned substantially perpendicular to a first end of the net; and a second side wall positioned substantially perpendicular to a second end of the net.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the playing surface is selected from the group consisting of grass, sand, pavement and hardwood flooring.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the court boundary is rectangular in shape, having opposing first and second sides.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first side wall aligns with the opposing first side and wherein the second side wall aligns with the opposing second side.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side wall includes a plurality of side panels.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each side panel of the plurality of side panels is a Plexiglas sheet.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of tie plates sized and configured to interconnect the plurality of side panels into a rectangular side wall.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side wall is positioned substantially vertical with respect to the playing surface.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support brackets sized and configured to position the first side wall in substantially vertical orientation with respect to the playing surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support post fastened to one end of the net.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a support bracket having a rod member extending upwardly therefrom, the rod member being sized and configured to removably receive one end of the support post.
 12. An apparatus for playing team footbag on a playing surface defining a rectangular court boundary, comprising: a net extending across the playing surface and dividing the court boundary into two playing zones; a first side wall positioned substantially perpendicular to a first end of the net, the first side wall further comprising a plurality of side-wall panels interconnected by a plurality of tie plates; a second side wall positioned substantially perpendicular to a second end of the net, the second side wall further comprising a plurality of side-wall panels interconnected by a plurality of tie plates; a first plurality of support brackets sized and configured to support the first side wall in substantially vertical orientation with respect to the playing surface; and a second plurality of support brackets sized and configured to support the second side wall in substantially vertical orientation with respect to the playing surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each support bracket includes an outwardly extending base member having a counterweight positioned thereon.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side wall is held in position by one or more guy wire assemblies.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side wall has a base portion adjacent the playing surface, and wherein the base portion is held in position by a series of stake members secured to the playing surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the net is formed in an elongated rectangular shape and aligned substantially vertically.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the net is constructed of a web-like material sufficient to prevent passage of the footbag there through.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a first footbag for play.
 19. The apparatus of claim 19, further including a second footbag for simultaneous dual-footbag play.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first footbag has a first color and the second footbag has a second color distinguishable from the first color. 